Umbrella and method of manufacturing the same



Oct. 6, 1953 H. EICHENBAUM 2,6 v

UMBRELLA AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE. SAME Filed Jan. 3, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l MINVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Oct. 6, 1953 H. EICHENBAUM 2,654,380

UMBRELLA AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME Filed Jan. 3, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR.

Patented Oct. 6, 1953 UNITED STAT TENT OFFICE UMBRELLA AND METHOD OF MANUFAC- TURING THE SAME 4 Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of umbrellas and, more particularly, to an improved covering for the umbrella framework whereby 'the framework may be more easily assembled with the covering and much more securely attached to the covering.

The framework of an umbrella includes a carrying stick or handle having a crown secured adjacent its upper or outer end. Ribs are pivotally secured to this crown to extend radially therefrom and each rib has a brace or arm pivotally connected thereto intermediate its ends. The inner ends of the braces are connected to a sleeve or ring member slidably telescoped with the stick. Movement of this member along the stick serves to extend or collapse the ribs, spring catches or the like being provided to latch the member in the open and closed positions of the framework.

The covering comprises a series of generally sector shaped fabric panels joined in edge to edge relation to form a dome shaped covering. Each panel occupies the space between two adjacent ribs, and the joined edges or adjacent panels are anchored at their outer end to the outer end of the rib, a suitable protective tip being generally provided on the rib outer end. Inwardly of such securement, one or more transverse tack stitches secure the seam to the rib at spaced points along the latter.

In the case of folding umbrellas, the stick is generally in two telescoped sections and the ribs are jointed intermediate their ends. However, the covering is secured to the framework in the same manner as with non-folding umbrellas.

The present method of forming the covering and securing it to the framework not only presents difiiculties in the assembly of the umbrella covering to the framework but also provides an insufficient securement of the covering to the framework. In turn, this not only increases the assembly cost but also shortens the useful life of the umbrella.

In accordance with the present invention, these difficulties are avoided and an improved construction provided by so securing adjacent panel edges together as to form a sleeve extending throughout at least the outer portion of the joined edges. This sleeve is formed with a closed outer end and an opening intermediate the ends of the joined edges. Thereby, the framework is assembled with the covering by simply inserting the ribs into the sleeves, thus providing a secure long-lasting attachment of the covering to the framework.

Preferably, the edges of adjacent panels are arranged in juxtaposed aligned relation, an elongated binder is folded over the edges, and the binder and edges stitched together to form the sleeve. A second binder is then stitched around the periphery of the covering, to reinforce the same and to close the ends of all the sleeves. Each sleeve is then transversely slit at a point between the ends of the edges to provide the openings for insertion of the ribs. Tack stitches may be used, if desired, to secure the exposed rib portions to the joined panel edges.

For an understanding of the invention principles, reference is made to the following description of a typical embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the covering for a folding umbrella as constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a broken perspective view of a portion of a joined pair of panels, illustrating assembly details;

Fig. 4 is a detail partial plan view of the cover and framework as assembled;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the covering as assembled to the frame of a folding umbrella;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6--6 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. '7 is an elevation view illustrating a detail.

In the drawing, the invention is illustrated as applied to a folding umbrella, to which the invention is particularly applicable. However, the principles of the invention are applicable equally to non-folding umbrellas.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the umbrella covering i0 is illustrated as comprising a plurality of generally sector-shaped panels H having their radial edges l2, l2 joined to provide the somewhat dome-shaped covering. In assembling the panels II to each other, edges l2, 12 are arranged in aligned juxtaposed relation, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 3. An elongated binder i5 is then folded over edges l2, l2, preferably with its edges l6, l6 inturned for reinforcement. A longitudinal stitched seam I3 is then formed to join the edges l2, l2 and binder I5.

It will be noted that seam I3 is adjacent the inner longitudinal margins of binder l5 and inwardly of the edges [2, l2. Thus, the binder I5 forms a sleeve extending along the joined panel edges. A further binder i4 is then stitched around the periphery of covering 5 0 (Figs. 1 and 3), closing the outer ends of the sleeves l5. Sleeves or binders l5 are then transversely slit at points I! intermediate the ends of the joined panel edges. The covering 1 c is illustrated, in Figs. 4 through '7, as applied to a folding umbrella framework. This framework comprises a stick 20, which may be a pair of telescoped members, having a crown 2! on its. upper or outer end. Rib sections. 22 are pivotally' connected tocrown 2t toextend: radially therefrom. Intermediate the ends of each rib section 22, an arm or brace 23 is pivotally connected, the inner ends of arms 23 being pivotally connected to a ring or sleeve member- 2 movable along stick 20 to open and close the framework.

A connector 25 is secured to the outer end I of each rib section 22, and has pivotally connected thereto an outer rib sectionv 21. each rib comprises pivotally interconnected sections 22 and 2? foldable. upon each other to form a compact bundle of the umbrella in the closed position. In the particular constructionillustrated, the outer sections 2"! are ioldable outwardly, but the invention is equally applicable to folding frameworks in which the outer rib sections fold inwardly;

To assemble the covering I i to the framework, each outer rib section 21- is slipped into a, sleeve l5 through opening IT. Tack stitches may be used, if desired, to secure inner sections 22 to the joined panel edges. sleeves I5, closed by binder i l, limit outward movement of the ribs. The outer rib sections may, if desired, have rounded tips or ends thereon.

Due to an elongated engagement between the rib sections 2? and sleeves l5, a sturdy, long lasting connection of the frame to the covering is provided. Assembly is quick and relatively inexpensive. It should be noted that openings I! are so located as to be adjacent the hinges in the ribs when the umbrella is assembled.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the invention principles,

it will be understood that the invention may be otherwise embodied without departing from such principles.

What is claimedis:

1. In an umbrella of the type including a covered collapsible, framework of ribs, a covering comprising a plurality of panels secured together in edge to. edge relation, each pair of adjacent panel edges being in aligned, juxtaposed relation, an elongated binder folded over and extending along each pair of juxtaposed edges, and stitching securing the binder and edges together to form a sleeve extending along at least the outer portion of the joined edges and closing the outer end of the sleeve, each sleeve having an opening therein intermediate the inner" and outer ends of the joined edges toprovide for insertion of a rib into the sleeve.

Thus,

The outer ends of 2. In an umbrella of the type including a covered collapsible framework of ribs, a covering comprising a plurality of panels secured together in edge to edge relation, each pair of adjacent panel edges being in aligned juxtaposed relation, an elongated binder folded over and extending along each pair of juxtaposed edges, and stitchingsecnring, the binder and edges together to form a sleeve extending along; at least the outer portion of the joined edges, a binder stitched around the periphery of the covering formed by the thus joined panels to close the outer ends of the sleeves, each sleeve having an opening therein intermediate the inner and outer ends of the joined edges to provide for insertion of a rib into the sleeve.

3... In an umbrella of the type including a cov-= ered collapsible framework of ribs, a covering comprising a plurality of panels secured together in edge to edge relation, each pair of adjacent panel edges being in aligned juxtaposed relation, an elongated binder folded over and extending along each pair of juxtaposed edges, and stitch.- ing securing the binder and edges together to form a sleeve extending along at least the outer portion of the joined edges, a binder stitched around the periphery of the covering formed by the thus joined panels to. close the outer ends of the sleeves, a transverse slit in each. such first-named binder intermediate the inner and outer ends of the joined edges to provide for insertion of a rib into the sleeve.

4'. In an umbrella of the type including. a covered collapsible framework of ribs, each including a pair of pivotally interconnected sections, a covering comprising a plurality of panels secured together in edge to edge relation, each pair of adjacent panel edges being in aligned juxtaposed relation, an elongated binder folded over and extending along each pair of juxtaposed edges, stitching securing, the binder and edges together to form a sleeve. extending along at least the outer portion of the joined edges, a binder stitched around the periphery of the covering formed by the thus joined panels to close the outer ends of the sleeves, a transverse slit in each such first-named binder intermediate the inner and outer ends: of the joined edges at. a point corresponding to the pivotal interconnection of the rib sections to provide for insertion of an outer rib section into. the sleeve,

HERMAN. EICHENBAUM.

References Cited in the file. of thisv patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 193,961 Hurcombe Aug. 7, 187-7 950,337 Miller Feb. 22, 1910 1,826,063 Franck Oct.v 6;, 1-931 

